Kobe Paras dunks, helps LA Cathedral win at Staples Center

MANILA, Philippines – Kobe Paras made a memorable debut at the Staples Center in Los Angeles by dunking on the same rim that former NBA All-Star Slam Dunk champion Blake Griffin, his namesake Kobe Bryant and other Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers are so accustomed to.

But more importantly, the 6-foot-6 Filipino sensation helped the LA Purple Ghosts get back at Diego Prep, 76-61, on Monday night (Tuesday Manila time).

RELATED: Kobe Paras highlights make it to US leading hoops video website

Paras finished with 12 points, according to ABS-CBN North America reporter Steve Angeles, who watched the game live.

Final score 76-61 and Purple Ghosts beat Diego Prep. I counted a dozen points for @Im_Not_Kobe pic.twitter.com/XNPuFohkJl

— Steve Angeles (@StevieAngeles) November 11, 2014

It was a redemption win for the Purple Ghosts, who lost, 68-79, in what was dubbed as a stunning upset last month. In that game, Paras had 18 points to lead the LA Cathedral elite team of coach William Middlebrooks.

In this game, the Purple Ghosts were in control leading by as many as 21 points, 73-52, with seven minutes left. 

Paras’ highlight came late in the second half where he went for the wide open dunk from the baseline off an assist from Purple Ghosts shifty playmaker Milan Acquaah.

Two days ago, the prospect trended on the social media as his mixtape produced by ballislife.com, the US' leading hoops video website, went viral.

In the main game of the double header “Supremacy Showcase”, FCP (Future College Prep) Hoops defeated Reno International Prep, 76-67. Both games were played in the afternoon just a few hours before the Clippers lost to defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, 85-89.  

The website fcphoopsTV streamed the “Supremacy Showcase” games live and a recorded copy is shown below (check out Kobe’s dunk at 00:46:26/02:25:03):